Watershed Voice

Red Dead Redemption II star Roger Clark will be a featured guest at this year’s Geek Fest. (IMDb) The geeks are gathering in Kalamazoo this weekend to celebrate gaming, cosplay, crafts, art, and more. Geek Fest returns to the Kalamazoo County Expo Center on Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m to 3 p.m., bringing together gaming enthusiasts, artists, and fans of all things geek-related for an afternoon of activities.

The November election is quickly approaching with just over three weeks before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. In preparation, Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to candidates in local and statewide races. Although some local elections are uncontested, those candidates also received questionnaires. Candidates in the following races received questionnaires: State Senate District 17: Republican Senator John Lindsey versus Democratic challenger Ashleigh Baker.

Woody Guthrie with his guitar (This work is from the New York World-Telegram and Sun collection at the Library of Congress. According to the library, there are no known copyright restrictions on the use of this work.

City Manager Joe Bippus hands Mayor Angel Johnston his resignation letter during Tuesday night’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting (Deborah Haak-Frost | Watershed Voice) During last night’s Three Rivers City Commission meeting, longtime City Manager Joe Bippus announced he is retiring from the position, effective January 14, 2027. Bippus made the announcement during the city manager’s communications portion of the October 7 business meeting.

The first debate between Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers will be this Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. The debate will air live on WOOD TV8, WOOD TV+, WOODTV.com,  and their partner stations across the state. There will be a preshow beginning at 6:30 p.m. featuring recorded one-on-one interviews with the candidates and debate moderator Rick Albin. Following the debate, anchor Brian Sterling will speak with the candidates about how they believe they performed.

In today’s episode of Good Grief., I will be talking about the historical, compounded, and complex trauma known as “Black grief.” It is well documented that premature loss, disenfranchised loss, and centuries of intergenerational trauma impact Black Americans at disproportionate rates. Headlines like the ones currently circulating about Nolan Wells can trigger this type of grief. And while we are grieving, we are often asked: Why do you have to make it about race?

Assistant City Planner Bobby Durkee speaking to commissioners about the moratorium (Courtesy: City of Kalamazoo YouTube) Over their last few meetings, Kalamazoo City Commissioners have been working to incorporate the city’s existing moratorium on data centers and related developments into its zoning ordinance. During Monday night’s meeting, commissioners unanimously approved the zoning ordinance.

Three Rivers City Hall (Deborah Haak-Frost | Watershed Voice) The Three Rivers City Commission will meet this Tuesday, October 6 at 6 p.m. for a regular business meeting. Commissioners will work through a four item agenda at their first meeting since September 15.

The fitness center once thought to be closing for good will host their ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, October 2 at 1:30 p.m. at 501 S. Health Parkway. The ceremony will be under the gyms new name and ownership, Three Rivers Athletic Club. Beacon announced in September that it was going to be closing the gym, a shock to many who relied on Beacon Health & Fitness for a space to exercise and cultivate community.

OutCenter Southwest Michigan’s new space in downtown Dowagiac, 143 S. Front St. OutCenter Southwest Michigan is hosting the grand opening of its Dowagiac location on Friday. It will be an open-house-style event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the nonprofit’s new space in downtown Dowagiac at 143 South Front Street. Food, drinks, and music will be provided and Executive Director Gerik Maverick hopes people show up to come together and hang out.